<h1 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Alpha/Beta Defined and Clarified</strong></h1>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://media.istockphoto.com/id/883638396/photo/app-or-software-development.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=FDXi0FFF1wBeRjh0IsnIYfe2qMyK47mWtbyN3uqIONI=" alt="" width="800" /></p>
<h2><strong>Background</strong></h2>
<p>“Alpha male” and “beta male” are terms widely used both within and outside the manosphere. Nevertheless, there is considerable variation as to what the terms actually mean. Here, I will provide a definition based on simple definition based on evolutionary first principles that explicates the term as it is commonly used in the manosphere. But first, a quick history.</p>
<p>The terms “alpha male” and “beta male” have their origins in mostly discredited observations of wolves. The terms “alpha”, “beta”, and “omega” continue to be used to refer to the position of animals in the social hierarchy. While wolf hierarchies may be more fluid than observed, other animals do have rigid hierarchies for which such terms are suitable. As they related to humans in mainstream culture, the terms “alpha male” and “beta male” have come to refer to character archetypes of the assertive masculine go-getter male and the supportive emotionally expressive sensitive male, respectively. These mainstream terms have been adapted by the <a href="https://blog.loveawake.com/2020/02/03/what-about-mens-rights/">manosphere</a> to describe men and their place in the sexual, rather than social, hierarchy.</p>
<h2><strong>Alpha and Beta Traits</strong></h2>
<p>A man’s alphaness is his level of intrinsic sexual market value. Intrinsic sexual market value is the innate sex appeal. Alpha traits tend to be signs of reproductively successful genetics i.e. either healthy genes or sexy genes. Alpha traits include: Physically fit. High-T face. Tall. High shoulder-waist ratio. Dark triad. Assertive. Good with poetic language. Musical ability. Preselection (i.e. fame/popularity and/or demonstrated ability to bed attractive women, whether through relationships or ONSs).</p>
<p>A man’s betaness is his level of extrinsic sexual market value (especially on the long term relationship and dating markets). Extrinsic value is that which the man brings to the table for relationships. Beta traits tend to be signs of good parenting or provisioning ability. Beta traits include: Rich. Stable job. Faithful and monogamous. Caring. Good with kids. Strong enough to protect his wife and kids. <a href="https://blog.loveawake.com/2022/10/17/20-identifiable-traits-of-a-female-narcissist/">Emotionally supportive</a>. Good social status (i.e. doctor, lawyer, or upper class person). Resourceful.</p>
<h2><strong>Alpha Male and Beta Male</strong></h2>
<p>On average, women have far more intrinsic sexual value than men. This is because sperm is cheap whereas eggs and wombs are not. Thus, an “alpha male” is a man who has intrinsic sexual value (i.e. alpha traits) comparable to that of an average woman. Such a man can thus have sex with women with ease without having to put in significant in courtship, because the intrinsic values of both parties are comparable.</p>
<p>In addition, an “apex alpha male” is someone who has intrinsic sexual value higher than that of an average woman. Such an apex alpha may “flip the script” and find himself being pursued by girls and have girls do favors for him in exchange for sex. In general, especially in the modern post-sex-rev environment, alphas and apex alphas tend to not bother to cultivate their beta traits (because they don’t need to), although there is nothing stopping them from having both alpha and beta traits. Indeed, a man who has an abundance of both alpha and beta traits is the ideal unicorn for women.</p>
<p>In contrast, a “beta male” is someone who does not have that much intrinsic sexual value (i.e. alpha traits), but has significant extrinsic relationship value which he advertises to obtain partners. Thus, he can obtain partners for relationships using his “beta bucks” to improve his sexual market value for an LTR so that it is comparable to that of an average woman.</p>
<p>Finally, an “omega male” is someone whose total sexual market value (intrinsic + extrinsic) is extremely low. Generally, he lacks both alpha and beta traits, and tends to be locked out of the <a href="https://www.loveawake.com/free-online-dating/United-Kingdom-dating-service.html">dating marketplace</a> altogether.</p>
<h2><strong>Value Judgement</strong></h2>
<p>It must be pointed out that there is nothing inherently pejorative about being “beta”. Indeed, civilization was built by beta males, and any functioning society must value beta males.</p>
<p>However, the post-sexual-revolution society implicitly treats beta males pejoratively. It makes them wait around while young women sleep with alphas and then expects the beta males to be grateful that <a href="https://www.loveawake.com/free-online-dating/United-Kingdom-dating-service.html?gender=female">these women want relationships</a> with them after wasting their youth and virginity with alpha males. Such beta males must often resign themselves to largely sexless marriages and the possibility of getting divorced by a wife who feels unfulfilled by the marriage.</p>